Historical information

This is a scrapbook of newspaper cuttings, invitations, show tickets and music sheets pertaining to Frank Wright and his musical career between the years of 1933 to 1935. The extra assorted clippings range from this date to the 1970. Frank Wright was a renown resident of Smeaton, where he was born in 1901. He lived at Laura Villa, and attended Smeaton State School. His father William was a gold miner and his mother's name was Sarah. Their family won many singing and instrumental awards. Frank was tutored by Percy Code and was awarded a gold medal for the highest marks in the ALCM examinations in the British Colonies at the age of seventeen years. He became the Australian Open Cornet Champion by the age of eighteen. A year later, Frank conducted the City of Ballarat Band, and later the Ballarat Soldiers’ Memorial Band. He formed the Frank Wright Frisco Band and Frank Wright and his Coliseum Orchestra. These bands won many South Street awards, and Frank as conductor won many awards in the Australian Band Championship contest. In 1933 Frank Wright sailed to England to conduct the famous St Hilda’s Band and was later appointed Musical Director of the London County Council, where he organized many amazing concerts in parks, in and around the London district. He was made Professor of Brass and Military Band Scoring and conducted at the Guildhall of Music and Drama. Frank was often invited to adjudicate Brass Band Championships around Europe, in Australia, including South Street and in New Zealand. The Frank Wright Medal at the Royal South Street competition is awarded to an individual recognized as making an outstanding contribution to brass music in Australia.

Significance

This scrapbook has great research significance when researching the life and work of Frank Wright.

Physical description

Brown paper covered scrapbook containing newspaper clippings, but also includes letters, scripts, parts of programmes, photos, tickets and small printed scores. The scrapbook belonged to Frank Wright and began in January 1933 and finished in December 1935. In addition there are some loose clippings from the 1940's and 1951.
b). Assorted newspaper clippings all pertaining to Frank Wright from the 1930's to the late 1970 and one invitation.

Inscriptions & markings

Throughout the book and on some of the clippings there are various additions written in pencil, mainly dates and the name of the newspaper.